Arkansas

Desha

11,395
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Desha

Desha, Arkansas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 1,598. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 11,395.

Its recorded population peaked at 27,160 in 1940, and has since declined by roughly 58 percent.

On the ground today, 12 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Arkansas Post (1783), Skirmish at Post of Arkansas (1862 — Confederate consolidation), Skirmish near Laconia Circle (Desha County), and 26 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202011,395
201013,008
200015,341
199016,798
198019,760
197018,761
196020,770
195025,155
194027,160
193021,814
192020,297
191015,274
190011,511
189010,324
18808,973
18706,125
18606,459
18502,911
18401,598
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Desha

Military engagements that took place in Desha, Arkansas.

Battle of Arkansas Post (1783)
1783
Skirmish at Post of Arkansas (1862 — Confederate consolidation)
1862
Skirmish near Laconia Circle (Desha County)
1863
Naval Bombardment preceding Battle of Arkansas Post
1863
Battle of Fort Hindman — Naval Component
1863
Battle of Arkansas Post
1863
Battle of Arkansas Post (context – MS Campaign)
1863
Fort Hindman (Arkansas Post)
1863
Battle of Fort Hindman Arkansas Post
1863
Battle of Ditch Bayou
1864
Battle of Ditch Bayou, Arkansas
1864
Rohwer War Relocation Center
1942

Historic places in Desha

National Register of Historic Places listings in Desha, Arkansas.

Trippe Holly Grove Cemetery
McGehee
Rohwer Relocation Center Site
Rohwer
Arkansas City Commercial District
Arkansas
McGehee National Guard Armory
McGehee
McGehee City Jail
McGehee
Dickinson-Moore House
Arkansas
Desha County Courthouse
Arkansas City
Furr, Hubert & Ionia, House
Arkansas City
Watts, Dr. J. D., House
Dumas
Temple Meir Chayim
McGehee
McGehee Post Office
McGehee
Kemp Cotton Gin Historic District
Rohwer
Dumas Commercial Historic District
Dumas
Lewis, Jay, House
McGehee
Mound Cemetery
Arkansas City
Pickens, R.A., II, House
Pickens
Missouri Pacific Railway Van Noy Eating House
McGehee
Thane House
Arkansas City
Parnell-Sharpe House
McGehee
Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot-McGehee
McGehee
McKennon-Shea House
Dumas
Arkansas City High School
Arkansas City
Browse all Arkansashistoric sites ›

Other counties in Arkansas

Explore census history and historic records for more Arkansas counties.

HempsteadHot SpringHowardIndependenceIzardJacksonJeffersonJohnsonLafayetteLawrenceLeeLincolnLittle RiverLoganLonokeMadisonMarionMillerMississippiMonroe
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Desha County, Arkansas

This page charts the census history of Desha County, Arkansas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Desha County, Arkansas report
Or see a real report first

Explore Arkansas records

Arkansashistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Military engagements ›Notable people from Arkansas›

Frequently asked about Desha

When does Desha first appear in the US census?
Desha, Arkansas first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 1,598.
What is the population of Desha?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Desha had a recorded population of 11,395.
When did Desha's population peak?
Desha's recorded population peaked at 27,160 in 1940.
Were any battles fought in Desha?
12 documented military engagements took place in Desha, including Battle of Arkansas Post (1783), Skirmish at Post of Arkansas (1862 — Confederate consolidation), Skirmish near Laconia Circle (Desha County).
How many historic places are in Desha?
26 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Desha, Arkansas.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report